- Title: MEXICO: Heavy rains leave parts of southen country under two meters of water
- Date: 3rd September 2010
- Summary: MINATITLAN, VERACRUZ, MEXICO (SEPTEMBER 2, 2010) (REUTERS) FLOODED STREETS RESIDENTS ROWING ACROSS FLOODED STREETS IN BOATS VARIOUS OF FLOODED STREETS RESIDENTS STANDING ON THEIR HOUSE'S ROOF (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FLOOD VICTIM, HÉCTOR GAONA, SAYING: "The water level has not gone down. We've been flooded for exactly eight days and the bad weather continues. As you see, the level here is lower than the level of the river which hasn't helped the water empty out quickly." FLOODED STREETS MAN ON BOAT CROSSING FLOODED STREETS PEOPLE ON BOATS SOUNDBITE (Spanish) RANCHER, OSIRIS ANDRADE, SAYING: "We're headed to a place called Soledad but we're going by water to Otapan and, from Otapan on, we'll take a bus if there is one. (Reporter asking about risk of going on flooded streets) We have no choice because, unfortunately, we have responsibilities. We're ranchers." FLOODED RIVER MEN ON BOAT ROWING THROUGH FLOODED STREETS PEOPLE CROSSING RIVER ON BOAT PEOPLE CARRYING SUPPLIES TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MACHINERY PUMPING WATER OUT FROM STREETS
- Embargoed: 18th September 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Nature / Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA2DX1OT9QKFXCFIZITK6480TIZ
- Story Text: Thousands of residents in southern Mexico battled on Thursday (September 2) against heavy rains and flooding.
In the Veracruz city of Minatitlan (mee-nah-TEET-lahn), the Coatzacoalcos (wahts-ah-KWAHL-kose) ver overflowed, leaving streets, roads and houses under 2 meters of water.
August's unusual heavy rains have caused the overflow of nearby rivers including the River of Dogs in the Oaxacan (wa-HA-can) town of Juchitan de Zaragoza, and the Novillero and Ostuta Rivers along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (teh-WAN-teh-peck).
Minatitlan resident Hector Gaona said the region has been battered by torrential rain for at least eight days.
"The water level has not gone down. We've been flooded for exactly eight days and the bad weather continues. As you see, the level here is lower than the level of the river which hasn't helped the water empty out quickly," he said.
Many residents refused to evacuate and chose instead to carry their belongings to the top floors of their houses and get around in row boats. Others evacuated but returned by boat to check on their belongings, fearing that thieves will empty out the vacant homes.
Osiris Andrade said he spent several days in a shelter but will try to make his way back home to check on his animals.
"We're headed to a place called Soledad but we're going by water to Otapan and, from Otapan on, we'll take a bus if there is one," he said.
The national meteorological service predicted that rains would continue through the week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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